Rates, Age, & Impact of Exposure to Pornography
Sexual (Mis)information: Pornography and Adolescence in the Digital Space.
Open Access: No.
Abstract
The escalating prevalence of pornography consumption among the youth has raised significant concern within the scientific community. This study aims to systematically examine scholarly literature on adolescence and engagement with pornography. Employing a conceptual framework, a qualitative literature review was conducted. Data analysis involved compiling abstracts and employing the AI coding system of Atlas.ti 23. These narrative approaches include (1) adolescent online health and pornographic education, (2) youth sexual identity shaped by online pornographic content, (3) and government policies promoting (in)formed sex education. The study’s conclusions underscore the detrimental effects of unregulated access to online pornographic content on adolescents, manifesting in distorted self-image, diminished self-esteem, and altered body perceptions. This phenomenon highlights the imperative of promoting comprehensive sex education. Media literacy is identified as a pivotal initiative to foster understanding of stereotypical representations and their societal and personal impacts.
Relevance
“In summary, unrestricted accessibility to online pornographic content has led to early exposure of adolescents to distorted representations that negatively impact their self-esteem and body perception, and foster the construction of unrealistic and violent expectations surrounding sex. This phenomenon not only raises concerns about the health and emotional well-being of young people, but also underscores the need to equip adolescents with critical tools to interpret and filter the content they consume…strategies aimed at addressing this phenomenon require a comprehensive approach that goes beyond merely correcting informational errors or verifying a user’s age. They should also promote an open, understandable, and healthy dialogue about sexuality.”
Citation
Rojas-Estrada, E.-G., Vizcaíno-Verdú, A., & Bonilla-del-Río, M. (2024). Sexual (Mis)information: Pornography and Adolescence in the Digital Space. In M. Buenestado-Fernández, A. Jiménez-Millán, & F. J. Palacios-Hidalgo (Eds.), Comprehensive Sexuality Education for Gender-Based Violence Prevention (pp. 264-284). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/book/comprehensive-sexuality-education-gender-based/331663
